Anniversary of the invasion: Ukraine defends Europe's freedom

Paneuropa Austria stresses the importance of Ukraine’s victory for the future security of the European model.

Vienna (OTS) – On the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, the Austrian Pan-European movement once again clearly points out the need for Russia’s military defeat. “The security of the European peoples can only be guaranteed if the regime in Moscow loses the criminal war of annihilation and international law and the rule of law regain validity,” said Paneuropa Secretary General Rainhard Kloucek. However, a defeat does not mean the destruction of Russia, but simply its withdrawal from Ukraine, because it must be made clear once and for all that wars of conquest in Europe must be a thing of the past.

There is no room for credible guarantees on the part of the Russian regime, because: “The Russian regime has broken all treaties and agreements,” emphasizes Paneuropa Secretary General Rainhard Kloucek. Only the complete withdrawal of the Russian army and mercenary groups from all of Ukraine can bring security and peace to Europe. This applies in particular to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Furthermore, Putin and his nomenklatura must be held personally accountable before the International Criminal Court.

If Russia were not defeated and if the conflict on the current front line were to freeze, Putin would not only be rewarded with gaining territory for a war of aggression, but would also use the pause for rearmament. No European country between Finland, the Baltic States, Eastern Europe and Moldova would accept that.

The Austrian pan-European movement expects more intensive support for Ukraine from Europe and complains that many debates in German-speaking countries show that many have not yet understood the seriousness of the situation. The biggest war on European soil in decades is raging in Ukraine. An axis of totalitarian regimes in Russia – Iran – Belarus – North Korea, and tolerated by China, threatens everything that Europe stands for: the rule of law, democracy, freedom and the right of peoples to self-determination.

“The Ukraine, against which a war has been waged since 2014, has shown in all challenges that it is reforming, that it is becoming more democratic, that it has an enormously committed, critical civil society,” emphasizes Stefan Haböck, Vice President of Paneuropa Austria. This is also shown by Ukraine’s resistance to the invading army: while all social strata of Ukraine, from athletes to scientists, from entrepreneurs to doctors, volunteer to defend their country, Putin throws ethnic minorities, men from poorer regions and prisoners as cannon fodder the front.

Unconditional unity in Europe and cooperation with Western partners is the key to restoring peace and security in Europe.

On behalf of Paneuropa Ukraine, Secretary General Rainhard Kloucek and Vice President Stefan Haböck would also like to thank the Austrians for their enormous willingness to help and donate. “People in the Ukraine really appreciate this willingness to help,” say Kloucek and Haböck.